22.2.2017 How Trump Would Corrupt the Pulpit

How Trump Would Corrupt the Pulpit

Summary; "President Trump just reiterated his campaign promise to “get rid of and totally destroy” the law prohibiting churches and other nonprofit tax-exempt institutions from endorsing political candidates." Trump wants to remove the Johnson amendment which prohibits tax-exempt business (Like churches, the red cross, and other charity's) from endorsing US politicians. This law is one of the most crucial parts in the separation of church and state.

Course Content: Repealing this act would also open up a huge loophole in campaign finance. Any individual could donate millions of dollars to churches who pledge to support a candidate, and making those donations tax deductible.

Opinion: I think repealing this piece of legislation would put a huge blow in the already screwed up campaign finance system. I also think this will more deeply entwine religion and US politics. Two things which should never ever mix. As always, I think Trump isn't making a good decision, and in the end will harm the country.

James Madison put it best: "Taxpayer-subsidized religion would become corrupt, lazy and unpersuasive — and worse", he said, “an offense against God, not against man.” 

-Zach St. Pierre

15.2.2017 Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser

Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser

Summary: Michael Flynn, a retired general and National Security Adviser stepped down due to "mislead" vice president pence and other white house officials about his phone calls with Russian ambassadors. Flynn is in a very power place in government and the dangers of possible corruption from the Russian government are very concerning. Little is currently know about the nature of Flynn's phone calls with Russian ambassadors, although there is much speculation of it regarding the harsh trade sanctions the Obama administration out on the country. 

Course content: Recently we've been talking about things that convince people into joining partys. I can see how a possible breach in national security might shake the already weak Trump administration. It's still to early to understand the full implications of this.

Opinion: I personally believe that the Trump administration's  strong ties to Russia are disconcerting. Russia is a hostile country, with very little freedom who literally kills people who dont agree with the government. Russia is a country who's interests are strongly opposed to that of the US and this current administration seems to be ignoring that. 

8.2.2017 "How should the media cover a White House that isn’t afraid to lie?"

How should the media cover a White House that isn’t afraid to lie?

Disclaimer: I'm super biased, very liberal sorry (Sometimes i make good points though)

Summary: Throughout history the white house has play an imperative roll in providing information to both the public and the press. Nearly every administration in history has given non-biased(ish) statistics and press conferences allowing the press to freely and confidently report on American affairs. However the Trump administration has already proven to not only withhold the true, but also flat out lie. Press secretary Sean Spicer started off this trend by stating that Trumps inauguration was the most viewed ever (It was not). Then later that week continued to state falsehoods about the amount of voter fraud in America (Claiming it was in the millions, It was not again) This raises a tricky question for journalists; How do we report on a white house we cant trust? 

Course content application: Recently in class we've be talking about public opinion and in sure that a lying white house might negatively skew public opinion.  Also we've been discussing the medias role in public opinion,  this article is directly geared at journalists to be cognizant of lies coming from the white house and to call them out.

Opinion: I think this is quite a historic time in American politics. Our leader is a talking Cheeto with a toupee who stands for bigotry, sexism, racism and, Islamophobia. We have a cabinet of the richest, whitest, top 1% in history all of whom are not afraid to lie to the press or the general public. I believe that the press will have to step up in a major way and act as a mediator/filter from the lies of the Trump administration to the people and to do fair, semi-non-partisan reporting on the issues the white house wont talk about. One of Emperor Trumps executive orders barred the EPA from releasing information to the press about the Dakota Access Pipeline, this is an opportunity for the press to pressure the white house to be more transparent and open about polices like the DAP.